Magic the Gathering Ornithopter

Deck Tech: Blue-Red Ensoul Artifact

With a staggering estimated 84per cent of its pilots crossing into Day Two, Blue-Red Ensoul Artifact may be the breakout deck associated with tournament. With a quarter-hour before Round 14, we been able to sit down with Nathan Holiday, real time to find the best 8 with a 10-3 record, along with his teammate Josh McClain, whom offered the initial create of the deck into the Channel Fireball / Face-To-Face games team. I asked for a synopsis of deck, what makes it tick and just why it is great. McClain summed it.

"essentially, it's many explosive appeals to the structure, between the raw energy of Ensoul Artifact and Shrapnel Blast."

Holiday nodded. "to be able to increase by five was crucial in playtesting."

"Yeah, 'what is five times two?' came up loads. The situation was figuring out making the deck work if perhaps you weren't attacking for 5 from the 2nd turn. The initial versions we tried—in secret—had Ramroller included. It absolutely was pretty embarrassing."

"He essentially built in the wardrobe, " getaway noted. "Then he'd state 'Okay, let's play some matches, nevertheless can't inform any person'."

"Okay, there are a great number of important cards."

"nonetheless it ended up being all about making certain your non-Ensoul draws were not embarrassing."

Nathan getaway was one of the numerous people regarding ChannelFireball / Face-to-Face team-up that introduced Blue-Red Ensoul Artifact together to battle this weekend.

The deck does a good task of creating sure the draws in which it offers Ensoul tend to be gangbusters, because of eleven main deck artifacts costing zero or one mana, including four Ornithopters, three Springleaf Drums, and four Ghostfire Blades. It had been these last that i desired additional information on. McClain was very happy to oblige.

"Ghostfire Blade does lots of various things besides just using Ensoul, " McClain explained. "The bonus is interestingly appropriate in this structure. Examine Phyrexian Revoker. A 2/1 can not strike through something. A 4/3 attacks through every thing."

"Hangarback Walker inside deck is a lot like Arcbound Ravager in contemporary." McClain made disbelieving noises across the table. "I'm not saying it really is that powerful, but it acts in the same manner which every turn that went by although it was in the board was so incredibly bad available. Hangarback is a lot like that. In addition it is released early as well as when they kill it you still have a creature. Usually you intend to compromise it to get the fliers. I had a game where I played Hangarback on turn two, and passed with three mana available. My adversary fetched and drew cards with Abzan Charm, down to 17. We Shrapnel Blasted the Walker at him, got two fliers, untapped, struck for just two, and Shrapnel Blasted him twice more."

Lastly, I inquired McClain if there were any decks which were bad match-ups, and when the deck is less effective as a known amount.

"Not off the top of my head…" believed McClain. "Well, no. Abzan Aggro. Which is truly bad. They usually have some range Dromoka's Commands, which card is truly great against united states. I'm uncertain just how good the Green-White decks are, nonetheless they may be good. Additionally Heroic, but i'ven't seen some of that around. In terms of playing it after this week-end, i believe it will probably positively drop some points. Individuals Will begin playing such things as Reclamation Sages, Destructive Revelrys, and Unravel the Æther. I do believe it will probably still be good, however. The deck will be a lot more resistant than you may believe."

That is very good news when it comes to individuals at home who would like to make the energy of Scissors with their next traditional tournament.